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Understanding Local Government Structure and Functions in California

Local governments in the United States operate under state oversight, allowing counties, cities, towns, and various districts to function autonomously. With over 86,000 local government units nationwide, California alone boasts 58 counties, 475 cities, numerous school districts, and special districts. This guide outlines the roles, responsibilities, and governance structures of local entities, including county functions like health services and law enforcement, as well as municipal services like parks and waste disposal. It also highlights the uniqueness of charter counties and general law cities.

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Understanding Local Government Structure and Functions in California

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  1. Local Government • With respect to local government, states are like unitary nations--they allow counties, cities, towns, etc. to exist and set the terms for their existence. • Throughout the nation, there are 86,743 units of government and most are local: • 3,043 counties • 19,296 cities • 16,666 townships • 14,556 school districts • 33,131 special districts (e.g. TID)

  2. Local Government • Within California, there are: • 58 counties • 475 cities • 406 Redevelopment agencies • 995 School districts • 4,787 Special districts • 6,721 TOTAL

  3. Counties • Oldest form of government; imported from England • Function as Agent of the State: (financed largely by subventions) • Health (indigent health care; mental health; public health; alcohol & drug treatment) • Social services and general relief (welfare) • Temp. income & employment training • Elections • Courts & court related services

  4. Counties • Functions of Countywide government (financed by own-source revenues) • General administration (also assessor, weights & measures) • Corrections (youth & adult) • Treasury, tax collection • Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)

  5. Counties • Municipal Functions of Counties in Unincorporated Areas (financed by sales taxes) • Land use planning • Parks & recreation • Library services • Police & fire protection • Waste disposal • Development regulation • Flood control

  6. Counties • General law: state law prescribes limits of responsibility • Board of Supervisors (5 members) oversees • Members elected in nonpartisan elections • Other elected officials: sheriff, district attorney, tax assessor • Charter counties (12) operate under home rule • Determine their own governing council and number of supervisors with approval of citizens • San Francisco is unique--both city and county

  7. Cities • Citizens petition county for incorporation • County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) must approve first • General law cities • 5 member city council, appointed city manager • Charter cities (like Stockton) if population exceeds 3,500 and residents vote

  8. City Services • Police & fire protection • Parks & recreation • Library services • Community centers • Water & sewer • Street lighting • Waste disposal • Utilities: gas& electric • Planning & development regulation • Economic development & redevelopment • Development & maintenance of infrastructure

  9. Cities • Elections: • Most are at-large elections (Progressive reform) • Some are returning to district elections to facilitate minority representation and reduce costs • All are nonpartisan (Progressive reform) • Mayors: Usually found in larger urban areas, elected at-large in nonpartisan elections

  10. Other Local Governments • School districts -- 995 • State oversees; local board gives direction • Funded by state and local taxes--but text may overstate the state contribution (75%) • Prop 98 (1988) mandated minimum spending levels for K-12 education • 1992-94 State began using county property taxes to pay its mandated share of education costs

  11. Other Local Governments • Special districts -- 4,787 • Single purpose; revenue stream identified • Municipal utility districts (MID, TID) • Fire protection, sewer districts, etc. • Redevelopment Agencies • channel property taxes to locality outside Proposition 13 provisions

  12. Other Local Governments • Regional governments • COGs-Councils of Governments for transportation planning between county (or counties) and cities • e.g., Stan-COG • ABAG--Association of Bay Area Governments for regional planning in Bay Area--http://www.abag.ca.gov/ • ASCG--Association of Southern California Governments

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